Assistant Teacher

The Role

Assistant Teacher assists in the instruction of preschool-aged children in activities designed to promote social-emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. Responsibilities include assisting the Teacher in the general day-to-day operations of the Head Start classroom, creating and nurturing strong partnerships with families, and ensuring instruction is consistent with best practices and quality standards, in compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards. The role requires ensuring the safety and security of children and families.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with children during all activities, providing constant supervision indoors and outdoors to ensure a safe environment.
• Assist in planning and conducting activities with the Head Start Teacher to meet individual needs of children, in accordance with the daily schedule.
• Guide and facilitate activities, including classroom projects and field trips.
• Maintain classroom management using developmentally appropriate techniques.
• Provide a safe and developmentally appropriate learning environment; interact with children one-on-one and in small groups.
• Build effective relationships within the organization, with children, and their families.
• Protect the safety of children by implementing active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.
• Work closely with management to ensure the program compliments Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Serve as a liaison between staff and parents; partner with parents in the education of their children, including encouraging classroom involvement and home activities.
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences to discuss children’s individual development and progress.
• Eat with and assist children with eating at mealtime to teach social and self-help skills and sound nutritional practices.
• Assist children in health and personal habits, such as resting, brushing teeth, and toilet habits.
• Assist the Head Start Teacher in record keeping; conduct and document observations, assessments, and screenings.
• Participate in staff meetings, committees, and training sessions.
• Assist in the mobilization and documentation of matching in-kind activities, goods, and services.
• Develop and document progress on professional development plans in cooperation with the supervisor.
• Take the lead in the absence of a teacher.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Child Development Associate (CDA) or a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential.
• Enrollment in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start program.
• Demonstrated successful interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to follow directions and take initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with individuals and teams at all levels, including students, families, coworkers, and community members.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with Head Start Teacher, other staff, parents, and community partners.
• Proven ability to keep all information on families strictly confidential.
• Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and on-line client management systems.
• Must participate in professional development training including basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification as required by state licensing and HSPPS.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work (exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally), including sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, and grasping. Includes repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding, and computer use.
• Pre-employment Requirements: Clear background check (criminal records, sex offender registries, employment, education verifications, child abuse registry if required), and pass all state and local health requirements post job offer and prior to employment.
• Motor Vehicle Operation: May require operating a motor vehicle. Incumbents should maintain a valid driver’s license and comply with Save the Children policies pertaining to safe operation of motor vehicles.

Qualifications

• Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages used by children and families).
• If in North Carolina, holding a Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) Licensure preferred.
• Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.